Philadelphia attorney Joseph C. Kohn is running for state attorney general as a political outsider who would polish the tarnished image of the top prosecutor's office and take on special interests and corruption.

But with presidential aspirant Steve Forbes starting to take it on the chin for spending so much of his own money on his national bid, Democrat Kohn may face some questions about his own blue-blood campaign.

In losing narrowly to incumbent Ernest D. Preate Jr. in 1992, Kohn spent about $2.8 million -- $2 million of it his own or his family's -- in his first bid for statewide office.

In Allentown yesterday, Kohn explained that Preate spent $3 million in 1992, and that the $800,000 raised by Kohn's campaign came from 1,200 contributors. High cost is the hard reality of today's statewide campaigns, he said.

"What I will not do is take (campaign) money from gambling interests ... utility interests and landfill operators," Kohn said at the Lehigh County Courthouse in a reference to his former foe, Preate, who is serving a federal prison term for campaign violations.

Kohn said there is nothing sinister about utility companies or landfill operators, but the attorney general might have to take legal action against such businesses. He said he should not compromise his ability to remain objective.

Kohn, a partner in Kohn, Swift and Graf, used a question about his lack of experience in criminal court to steer back to Preate. He said U.S. Attorney David Barasch, who handled the charges against Preate, also had no previous experience as a prosecutor.

Kohn said he will make up for any lack of experience with dedication, integrity and hard work.

Kohn, 38, of Devon, Chester County, announced his campaign in Harrisburg Tuesday and stopped in Allentown during a three-day, 12-city tour.

State Sen. Michael Fisher of Allegheny County is seeking the Republican nomination for attorney general.